Manufacturers tackle EU trading, attracting staff and being sustainable at East Midlands conference

Driving sustainable growth, international trade since the UK left the EU and the government’s industrial strategy were among areas addressed by businesses and educators at the 2025 East Midlands Manufacturing and Trade Conference on 13th March at Loughborough University.

A series of talks and panel discussions explored the challenges and opportunities faced by the manufacturing sector. 

Invest 2035 – the government’s industrial strategy – formed a backdrop for discussion, while East Midlands Chamber shared findings from its soon to be released Quarterly Economic Survey covering the first quarter of 2025.

Issues discussed during the conference ranged from talent attraction and retention in the manufacturing sector to identifying emerging international markets for business expansion and how to handle paperwork for exporting to the European Union.

East Midlands Chamber President Dawn Whitemore opened the conference. Speaking afterwards she said: “Getting like-minded people together to share insight, experience and knowledge provides a platform where we can all learn. For the Chamber it's about further understanding how we can support businesses and help them grow. This event makes sure we're all on the same page and that makes it critical. Industry and education all come together, along with supporting organisations.  We've got perspectives and insight to bring and the same challenges to overcome.”

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore gave a talk on its soon to be released Quarterly Economic Survey findings for the region. Speaking afterwards he said: “The data we gain comes from a wide cross-section of businesses across the East Midlands and is a vital indicator of performance, in terms of things like sales, orders and staffing levels, but also intentions for the future on everything from investment in technology to recruitment, and concerns right now.

“With manufacturing a major contributor to the East Midlands economy – we’re a region renowned for making things - bringing together representatives from the sector and from education is essential, and sharing research around the changing patterns and trends going on right here in the East Midlands is really helpful for businesses.” 

Loughborough Business School Professor in Work Psychology Eva Selenko took part in a panel discussion on attracting and retaining staff. Speaking afterwards she said: “The East Midlands Manufacturing and Trade Conference is so important for industry and for us at Loughborough University. My work includes a lot of research into staff turnover, turnover intentions and job quality aspects, how they inform turnover intentions. We look at the individual parts, but also the firm level factors that predict turnover among staff.

“What motivates someone to change a job - is it really salary, or the other benefits the job brings, from a supportive environment to developmental opportunities. We need to look at those, especially in a competitive environment. How social science develops informs how business could develop for the better. We need to bring those together.”

Make UK Region Director Chris Corkan shared an overview of the manufacturing sector and how it stands at the moment. He said: “Manufacturing has a stellar track record for being both productive and resilient. Undoubtedly, driving productivity remains high on the industrial agenda in order to remain competitive and to mitigate soaring costs against the backdrop of economic volatility. This exemplar manufacturing event has teased out some great insights to demonstrate the strong ecosystem support available in the region and for ensuring our manufacturing sector can continue to innovate and grow.”

East Midlands Manufacturing Network Chair Mark Goldby gave a talk on improving productivity through people. Afterwards he said: “It’s always great to get people together from all different disciplines, whether it's the higher educational institutes and businesses generally or the business support networks. If you take out the current geopolitical discussions, fundamentally people are making great products here in the East Midlands. 

"Yes, it's getting a little bit more challenging. Yes, it's a little broader and yes, a little more red tape, but the industry is committed to innovation-led development, making products more sustainable. There's an absolute passion and it's great to hear inspiring speakers talk about those journeys and inspire the rest to follow suit.”

Department for Business and Trade Midlands Regions Head of Export Development Ian Harrison gave a presentation on exporting opportunities. Afterwards he said: “My message to businesses trading overseas is you're not alone. There's an awful lot of support that the Department for Business and Trade provides alongside our partners, and you can find a lot of it online.

We provide direct support to individuals, in terms of intelligence of where to do business, how to do business, whether online or offline, how to finance your business, and how to really optimise your time. The world by definition is a very big place, and if you're not careful you can spend an awful lot of time or money pursuing the wrong thing. So, I say come and talk to us and our partners and we'll help you grow.”

East Midlands Airport Commercial Director Chris Lane gave a talk on the site’s 60th anniversary. Afterwards he said: “The service the airport provides for businesses within the region is invaluable. So as the UK's largest dedicated cargo airport, it really provides value to businesses, in terms of both imports and exports into and out of the UK that's unrivalled across the across the rest of the UK really. I would encourage businesses to make use of that really and there's a real opportunity to take advantage, to grow business within this region.”

East Midlands Chamber Head of International Trade Lucy Granger took part in a panel on overseas export and opportunities for manufacturers. Afterwards she said: “The UK’s exit from the UK created a pile of paperwork for businesses that wasn’t there before.  There isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ on the documents needed as it can differ significantly from country to country, the item or items you plan to export or the duration and there’s a solution to all of these things. Firms aren’t always aware of the challenges or how to overcome them.  With differing restrictions from place to place, support is essential and the team I lead can overcome the hurdles for businesses and make it an easy process.”